Sort the facts from the fiction to discover what makes a dog a "designer dog."By D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D.It's human nature. Given a choice, we choose the original gown before we buy off the rack.We customize our homes, our cars and even our coffee. We crave the unique. It was onlya matter of time before we started eying our dogs. No longer are as many people satisfied with their choice of white versus white when theychoose a West Highland White Terrier. If only they could get one in black. Now they cansort of by crossing a Westie with a Schnauzer to produce a Wauzer, which are available inblack or salt-and-pepper. Gary Garner of Harvey, Arkansas, supervisor of the American Canine Hybrid Club,believes that "pet owners want something out of the ordinary, something their neighbormay not have." Nonetheless, with more than 150 American Kennel Club breeds andhundreds more established non-AKC breeds, many quite rare, it would seem thatsomething already would exist for everybody who has a craving to be unique.Perhaps the most surprising aspect is that the price tags attached to designer dogs areoften more than what either purebred parent breed alone would bring. Some Internet sites,which often attract celebrity clientèle, have prices as high as $5,000 for certain hot breeds! However, not everyone is as smitten with designer dogs. Some people contend that "designer dog" is just a ritzy term for a mixed breed. Many purebredparent clubs don't look favorably on their purebred breeders who cross their breeds with others. The Original Designer Dogs?Aside from the ultimate in customization and the controversy, what exactly is a designer dog? Well The Silky Terrier was derived from a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and Australian Terrier. The Bull mastiff was derived from a cross between theBulldog and the Mastiff. Are they designer dogs? No; most designer dogs are first-generation hybrids. But exceptions exist.The Doberman Pincher was derived from crosses between the German Shepherd Dog and German Pincher, probably with later crossesto the Greyhound, Weimaraner and Black-and-Tan Manchester Terrier. The Black Russian Terrier was derived from crosses among the Airedale Terrier,Rottweiler and Moscow Water Dog. Are they designer dogs? No; most designer dogs are the result of crossing only two breeds. But exceptions exist.So what's the difference between a pure breed, a mutt and a designer dog? Sometimes, the lines aren't so clear. A breed refers to a closed gene pool that has been bred only within itself for sufficient generations so that it breeds relatively true. The exact number ofgenerations required for breed status is not agreed upon. A mutt refers to a mixture of more than one pure breed.A designer dog is generally the first-generation hybrid offspring of two purebred dogs of different breeds. In a few designer dogs, such as AustralianLabradoodles, more than two parent breeds may be involved in the recipe. In some other popular designer dogs, such as Cockapoos and Labradoodles,the designation also includes the progeny of multiple generations of hybrids bred to one another. This is where the delineation between breed and designer dog gets fuzzy. First-generation hybrids tend to be fairly uniform in type, because each has one set of genes from one parental breed and one from the other, and eachparental type has limited genetic variation. However, this uniformity is lost when first-generation hybrids are bred to one another because they aresampling from parents each with more variability at each gene. That's why second generation progeny tend to be a mishmash of characteristics of bothoriginal parental breeds, often with no two looking alike. For this reason, breeding second generations of designer dogs often isn't attempted. A Healthy Mix?Garner points out that the interest in hybrids may be fueled by consumer awareness of breed-related genetic disorders. "There is a perception that 'hybridvigor' contributes to healthier dogs," he says. "That has been purported with plants and animals, and there is foundation to the idea."Dog breeds are closed populations based on a handful of founders. Whatever genes are present in the founders will be over-represented in theirdescendants. If these genes are for deleterious recessive traits, then in a closed population, the chance that their progeny will inherit recessive genes fromboth parents and thus develop a genetic disease increases. Such is the case with most dog breeds, the majority of which can trace their ancestry to fewer than 50 foundation animals sometimes fewer than 10.It is possible that by crossing two different breeds, the likelihood of the progeny being affected by genetic diseases will be lower because the likelihoodthat both breeds will carry the same deleterious genes is lower. However, certain disorders like paterllar luxation (in which the kneecap slides out of place)are so widespread among certain families or sizes of dogs that interbreeding them will not decrease the incidence of the disorder. As Garner warns, "Automatically crossing two different breeds does not guarantee better quality; it still depends on the quality of the individual parents."Any advantage of hybrid vigor is lost after the first generation, so the designer dog breeds that include progeny from subsequent generations are no lessprone to genetic disease than are either parental breed. Designer DesireLabradoodles and Puggles (Pug-and-Beagle hybrids) may be all the rage today, but they'll have a long way to go before they can claim the staying powerof the all-time champion designer dog the one that never claimed designer designation the Cockapoo. Popular at least since 1960, the Cockapoo stillexists mostly as a first -generation cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. A few independent organizations exist for the most popular hybrids (like the Cockapoo Cockapoo Club of America), but for most hybrids, the place toregister is the American Canine Hybrid Club. According to the ACHC registers, the most popular hybrids in 2005 were the Labradoodle, Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever and Poodle cross), Puggle andCavachon (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Bichon Frise). The ACHC, which began registering dogs in 1992, lists more than 200 types of hybrids, andeach one has at least one representative dog or litter.Although most hybrids are the product of two breeds, a few have more than two breeds in their recipe. And at least one, the Cantel, is somewhat a tradesecret. Dubbed the Cantel because you "can't tell" if it's a Poodle or a Bichon, the exact mixture of parti-colored Poodle and Bichon that goes into it is notreadily divulged by its creator.

BEWARE OF PUGGLESVILLE IMPOSTORSTHERE ARE APPARENTLY INDIVIDUALS, OR ENTITIES, OUT THERE SELLING PUGGLE PUPPIES THAT THEY CLAIM ARE FROM PUGGLESVILLE, BUT ARE NOT. MAKE SURE THAT YOU RESEARCH THE ORIGIN OF YOUR PUGGLE PUPPY BEFORE YOU BUY, ESPECIALLY IN A RESALE SITUATION. IT WOULD BE A SIMPLE MATTER TO CONFIRM OR DISPROVE THE VALIDITY OF THESE CLAIMS, AND WE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO SO.

CHOOSE A PUGGLE BREEDER WITH CAREWords to consider from a Puggle buyer

Pugglesville,We purchased a little female Puggle puppy on New Years day in the Seattle area. She ended up being pretty sick with an extreme worm infestation, coccidia, and a high level of wood chips in her system. We are fortunate that we insisted that the Vet run thorough tests. After 5 days of medication, she is starting to bounce back. Hopefully the other buyers from this litter had her siblings checked thoroughly. I wish now we'd have waited, as I didn't have time to check out this breeder, but we'd already fallen in love with her.

Pugglesville,Not only did our Puggle puppy have coccidia, but she had giardia, and the worst infestation of worms our vet had ever seen. This in a puppy that weighed only 4 lbs. All of this affected her intestines to the point where they were so irritated that she continued to bleed.As of today, we've had only a week with her where she has not been on some type of medication, special food, or having to worry about the spread of parasites. In addition to racking up huge vet bills, our family all went through parasite cleanses because I found out these are transferable to humans, which they did. Had we not fallen completely in love with this puppy, and been so concerned about her fate if we didn't keep her, we would have returned her. I wish we would have been patient, and waited for you to have more litters, so we could deal with a more reputable breeder.

Email sent to Pugglesville from the same folks about a week later

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT PUGGLES...

Puggle puppies are one of the byproducts of a new philosophy in the world of dog breeding. Dog hybrids, also sometimes referred to as crossbreeds, or"designer dogs", are dogs born of two different breeds of parent dog. These mixes, rather than being happenstance, are instead carefully calculated toobtain certain specific characteristics in the offspring of the parent dogs. Puggles are, by far, one of the most sought after designer dogs. A mix of Pug and Beagle, Puggles are very affectionate, loyal little clowns that are widelyknown to be great with children and adults alike. These are the primary reasons the breed was created. Despite being highly energetic, a Puggle puppy isalso a great lap dog. They do well in apartments despite being lively and slightly hyper. Critics will argue that, every time you cross two breeds, there areno guarantees as to how the puppy will turn out. Balderdash! Puggles have some distinct characteristics, and the fact is that they absolutely turn out asconsistent as the puppies of any other breed. A Puggle puppy is short-haired, with a wrinkly face, and body. They have a short nose, and a slender, stocky body, like beagles. Puggles average about25 pounds, and stand, on average, 15 inches (38.1 cm) at the shoulder. They are medium shedders, so people who have allergies should keep this inmind. One of the biggest benefits of a Puggle is the fact that their noses are not as short, or flat, as a Pug's, so they do much better in hot weather, andhave less breathing problems. Like other designer dogs, Puggles are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, or anyother major purebred organization, but they are accepted in some dog shows. Because ofcontinuous issues, a new organization called the American Canine Hybrid Club was recentlycreated. Aimed at designer dog owners, it will register mixed dogs for a fee with, what weconsider, ambiguous benefits at best.As pets, puggle puppies have the mild mannered yet playful "lap dog" qualities oftenassociated with pugs, mixed with the more energetic tendencies typical of the hunting qualitiesof a beagle.A cheerful clown who loves to play but then quickly tires for a short nap, Puggle puppies aremid-sized dogs that make excellent house pets, and many Puggle owners testify to theirwinning personality as one of their strongest points.They get along wonderfully with children, who usually adore the pet's lap dog qualities; at thesame time, the pups are always ready for a wrestling match or tug of war. Their playfuldisposition, however, makes them a bit harder to train than some dogs, a trait they share withboth pugs and beagles.They retain the friendly, laid-back disposition of both breeds, but while their size makes them perfect for apartments, they need a bit more exercise andattention than some traditional apartment dogs (pugs included).Like most dogs, Puggle puppies also bark, and vary widely as to how often they bark. Some inherit the odd, nasal baying of beagles, a mix of a bayinghound and the cooing of a pigeon (some say sounding like Gizmo from the movie Gremlins). That said, their barking is much more easy to deal with thanmost beagles, and many Puggle puppies are barely vocal at all.

DOGS, DOGS EVERYWHEREPurebred aficionados look at designer dogs and tell potential owners to adopt a dog from the pound because a designer dog is basically a mutt. But unlessyou aspire to enter your dog in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, why exactly do you need a purebred? Nothing guarantees that a purebred dogwill make you happier than one that isn’t.Bloodlines, smudlines. Don’t you really just want a good dog that loves and obeys you, makes you laugh, leads a healthy life and thinks you’re thegreatest things since cow hoofs?Purebred, designer, pound puppy, they all have one thing in common. They are all dogs, and they all need love and companionship of a good human, Some are cute; some are, well, not (only a Chinese Crested owner could find that breed “easy on the eyes”). Some dogs are rambunctious; some aregentle. Some like to run; some like to nap. Some like to eat tennis shoes; some like to eat bugs.In the end, the type of dog you select is the one that suits you, Collie people love Collies. Shih Tzu people love Shih Tzu. Maybe after doing yourresearch, you’ll find that you're a Cockapoo fan or a Labradoodle enthusiast. First and foremost, just be sure that you are a dog person. Once you figurethat out, then you might want to investigate some of the designer breeds. All have different personalities and different lifestyle requirements. One might beright for you.If you choose a designer dog, don’t take any guff from purebred owners. Your Puggle orYorkipoo will be just as great and priceless in your eyes as their dog is in theirs. Andremember: Their dogs were once “designer dogs,” too.Although the Puggle, which was first registered about five years ago, is the leader inpopularity as of 2006, overall, the most registrations have gone to the Labradoodle,Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever X Poodle), Puggle and Cavachon, in that order. TheACHC registers more than 200 types of hybrids, and each one they register has at leastone representative dog or litter,Although most hybrids are the product of two breeds, a few, such as the Free-LanceBulldog, which is the result of the English Bull-Walker (itself a hybrid between the Bulldogand the Treeing Walker Coonhound) bred to a French Bulldog, have more than twobreeds in their recipe. And at least one, the Cantel, is somewhat a trade secret. Dubbedthe Cantel because you “can’t tell” if it’s a Poodle or a Bichon, the exact mixture of theparti-colored Poodle and Bichon that goes into is not readily divulged by it’s creator.Although proponents of some hybrids, especially those bred for many generations pastthe first cross, are eying official recognition from some of the major kennel clubs, such asthe American Kennel Club, so far that recognition has not come and doesn’t seem close The AKC requires that a breed show sufficient numbers of generations and individualsover a sufficient time period to demonstrate sustained interest. All this requiresmeticulous record keeping and dedicated owners.The ACHC and other hybrid-specific clubs are providing the paperwork, and the dogsthemselves are making sure they have a devoted following. But here’s the problem: If adesigner dog becomes and established breed, will it still be unique?

DOG BREEDING: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A DOG BREEDERA breeder is a term for anyone who successfully undertakes the breeding of two dogs. It does not matter if this person has plans covering years of time,encompassing multiple breedings, or is one who plans to breed but a single litter.Know Your Breeder ObligationsMany people who breed dogs recognize their obligations. They are perfectly willing to accept the responsibilities assumed when bringing new life into theworld. These people offer their brood matron superior prenatal and postnatal care. They carefully research the pedigrees of the dogs they have brought toa breeding. Conscientiously, they ensure the sire and dam are X-rayed (hips and elbows), along with being checked for other problems that may afflict theirbreed.These breeders carefully select the homes in which the puppies are placed. Once a sale has been made, they provide detailed instructions for feeding andfollow-up veterinary care. These dedicated people maintain a follow-up program, staying in touch with their puppy buyers. They ensure that puppies andgrown dogs have optimum emotional as well as physical care. These responsible breeders are also prepared to take back or help to relocate at any age adog of their breeding should the owners be incapable of keeping the animal.There is nothing wrong with breeding and being a breeder for most people. Education is, however, the key word for every person who contemplates thisactivity. It does not matter if this is for a single litter or for an entire breeding program encompassing years of forethought. People who sell puppies must beaware of those prospective buyers who, during the interview process, disclose that they do not want to show, they only want to breed dogs. Dog shows are,by their very definition, the place where the quality of a breeding program is proven.Most breeders carefully place their puppies in responsible homes with responsible people. Sales of pet-quality puppies without restrictions on breedingthem is a real crime perpetrated on the overpopulated canine world. Some people "reason" that since nature provided their pet with the means ofreproduction, they should take advantage of this regardless of the animal's quality. Dogs do not have the same libido as people. It is not necessary thatevery dog be bred, nor is it imperative for each champion to reproduce.

DOGS BY DESIGN

NOT A PASSING FADDesigner dogs are dogs first, designs second.By Roger SipeIf you think that designer dogs are a fad, and you want to get in on it before it’s over, these dogs aren’t for you. Dogs, by design or purebred, are by no means a fad. And if you think there is something extra special about designer dogs, think again. Designer dogs are not better than other dogs; they are not smarter; they are not cuddlier; they will not make you hipper; they will not make you cooler.So what are they and what do they do?They, like all breeds and types of dogs, are a lifelong commitment that will need your attention and care for the next 10 to possibly 20 years. In return, they will give you all the love, loyalty and companionship you can handle. Can ya dig it?

A DOG'S SOULEvery dog must have a soul, somewhere deep inside Where all his hurts and grievances are buried with his pride.Where he decides the good and bad, the wrong way from the right, And where his judgment carefully is hidden from our sight.A dog must have a secret place, where every thought abides. A sort of close acquaintance that he trusts in and confides.And when accused unjustly, for himself he cannot speak. Rebuked, He finds within his soul, the comfort that he seeks.He'll love, tho' he is unloved, and he'll serve tho' badly used, And one kind word will wipe away the times when he's abused.Altho' his heart may break in two, his love will still be whole, Because God gave to every dog an understanding Soul!Author Unknown

"Living with a designer dog is just like living with anyother dog -- except that designer dog owners have alot more explaining to do!"

The personalities of all designer dogs will vary.The Puggle may be more like a Pug than a Beagle,or vica versa.

A POEMThey will not go quietly, the dogs who have shared our lives.In subtle ways they let us know their spirit still survives.Old habits still make us think we hear a scratch at the door.Or step back when we drop a tasty morsel on the floor.Our feet still go around the place the food dish used to be,And sometimes, coming home at night we miss them terribly.And although time may bring new friends and a new food dish to fill,That one place in our hearts belongs to them...and always will.Author Unknown

A DOG POEMYou’re special to me,Affectionate, Loyal,And good company You’re there when I’m lonely,And life seems a bore,You cheer me and offer,A comforting paw.The look in your eyes,Says you quite understand,As you thrust a bewhiskered Wet nose in my hand,You never desert me,Wherever I go,You’re a far better friend,Than all the people I know,I thank you by writing,This short monologueTo my faithful, DevotedCompanion - MY DOGAuthor Unknown

Senator Vest's "Tribute to the Dog"It is strange how tenaciously popular memory clings to the bits of eloquence men have uttered, long after their deeds and most of their recorded thoughtsare forgotten, or but indifferently remembered. However, whenever and as long as the name of the late Senator George Graham Vest of Missouri ismentioned it will always be associated with his love for a dog.Many years ago, in 1869, Senator Vest represented in a lawsuit, a plaintiff whose dog "Old Drum" had been willfully and wantonly shot by a neighbor. Thedefendant virtually admitted the shooting, but questioned to the jury the $150 value plaintiff attributed to this mere animal. To give his closing argument,George Vest rose from his chair, scowling, mute, his eyes burning from under the slash of brow tangled as a grape vine. Then he stepped sideways,hooked his thumbs in his vest pockets, his gold watch fob hanging motionless, it was that heavy. He looked, someone remembered afterwards, taller thanhis actual 5 feet 6 inches, and began in a quiet voice to deliver an extemporaneous oration. It was quite brief, less than 400 words:"Gentlemen of the jury: the best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his worst enemy. His son or daughter that he has rearedwith loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, maybecome traitors to their faith. The money that man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it the most. A man's reputation may besacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first tothrow the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful ortreacherous... is his dog.Gentlemen of the Jury: a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where thewintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick thewounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When allother friends desert he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through theheavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that ofaccompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embraceand his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his headbetween his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death."The jury deliberated less than two minutes then erupted in joint pathos and triumph. The record becomes quite sketchy here, but some in attendance saythe plaintiff who had been asking $150, was awarded $500 by the jury. Little does that matter. The case was eventually appealed to the Missouri SupremeCourt, which refused to hear it.A statue of "Old Drum" was erected on the Johnson County Courthouse Square in Warrensbug, Missouri, where the trial occurred. The statue still standsthere today.

A DOG'S PLEATreat me kindly my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me. Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn. Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ears. Please take me inside when it is cold and wet for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should you be in danger.And, my friend, when I am very old, and no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands. -Author Unknown

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE "GONE TO THE DOGS" WHEN:* Nobody's feet are allowed on the furniture, but your dogs are welcome to sleep on any piece they so choose. * It takes an entirely separate garbage can to handle all the poop. * All kinds of things around the house are in need of repair, but the injured dog you rescued by the side of the road requires immediate surgery and out comes the checkbook. * You and your family haven't had your annual check up in two years, but the dogs are all medically up to date. * You start barking at your children to "Sit! Stay!" * You're more concerned with the dogs' needs than your own when the budget gets tight. * At least three of your five weeks vacation are scheduled around grooming, vaccinations and dental cleaning...all for the dogs! * Dog crates double as chairs and/or tables in your family room. * You can only remember people by associating them with their dog. * Overnight guests (who share your bed) are offended by having to sleep with you and the dog(s). * You snuggle closer to the dog than the person with whom you are sleeping. * You decide to downsize from a huge house in the city to an average country cottage with lots of land in order to build the kennel of your dreams. * You spend more time looking through mail order catalogs for dog supplies than for Victoria's Secret nighties or Miles Kimball gadgets. * All your social activities revolved around other dog people. * Your voice is immediately recognized by your vet's receptionist. * Everyone in the office is eager to know if the dogs are all right because you were late for the meeting. * The whereabouts of all your important legal and personal documents escapes you, yet you know precisely where to locate the file that includes all the vet records, breed papers and registration. * Your trunk has an emergency food kit for any strays you might come across. * The majority of your charitable contributions go to animal organizations. * To win a precious .75 show ribbon, you think nothing of forking out hundreds of dollars to board/pet sit the other dogs, pay for entry fees, gas, accommodations and meals. * You no longer have to buy extra large garbage bags, because the empty, 40 pound dog food bags work just as well. * Complete strangers call you on the phone to ask a question because they heard you were a "dog person." * Your mom calls and asks how the grand-dogs are. * Every gift you ever get has something to do with dogs. * Your cookie jar has never seen the likes of people cookies. * You rip up the carpet and lay tile to make clean up so much easier. * Your children (wife, husband) complain that you always take more pictures of the dog than you do of them. * While proudly showing off your family album, your guest asks, "Isn't there anyone else in your family besides the dog?" * Any conversation you're having is effortlessly directed back to the topic of dogs. * Your first concern when planning a vacation is whether or not the hotel will take pets. * You politely bow out of an important social engagement so you can attend a dog show. * The number one priority when buying a new house is the size and landscape of the backyard. * The only (or at least first) forum you log onto is the animal forum. * You describe your children as having temperaments rather than personalities. * The cost of boarding your fur kids equals that of your entire vacation. * Your dog decides he doesn't like someone and you tend to agree. * All your non-dog friends know to dress down when visiting your house. * Your friends know which chair not to sit in. * First time visitors wonder aloud, "Do you smell something?" and you really don't. * You become the family dog kennel for all your relatives. * You don't think twice about sitting on the floor because both the couch and the chair are completely dog full. * Your desk proudly displays your canine family. * All dates must pass your dog's inspection. * The first question you ask when on a date is, "So, do you like animals?" * You buy a bigger bed that will comfortably sleep six. * You break down and buy another pillow so you can have one to sleep on. * More than half of your grocery money goes to dog food and treats. * You buy a mini van to give them all enough travel room. * Your carpeting matches the color of your dog -- purposely. * The thought of changing a baby's diaper makes you swoon, but you can pick up dog poop barehanded, if necessary, without batting an eye. * You send out specially-made holiday cards that feature you and the dogs. * Your spouse issues the ultimatum "It's them or me" and you have no problem pointing out the suitcase. * You readily allow them to give you slobbery kisses, but you don't dare wipe a toddler's nose. * Onlookers grimace at the sight of you sharing your sandwich with your four-legged pal, bite for bite. * Your dog has the best birthday party over and above any kid in the entire neighborhood. * Your dogs eat only the most nutritionally sound food, while your favorite meal is mac 'n cheese. * You've traced your dog's family tree further than you have your own. * You're more familiar with dog laws than you are with people laws. * You stagger your dog magazine subscriptions to make sure you'll receive one every week. * Your vet's office number is the first one on your speed dial list; his home is number two. * One of your vet files is labeled "Other." * Your vet takes a few extra courses just to keep up with your breed's assorted ailments. * Your file is the only one that remains in the "IN" box. * Your file rivals War And Peace.

THE SAMPLEby Tasha Hamilton (from the Dachshund board)Let me tell you what happenedwhen I had to go outsideI'm afraid my Mom is losing itI'm thinking I should hideI got up as usualwent out to do my thingAnd there was Mom with a little bowlWhat a ding-a-ling!I kept staring at herwondering what she had in mindAnd every time I looked at hershe was watching my behindI really wanted my privacybecause I had to goBut she kept stalking after meas if Inspector ClouseauI couldn't hold it any moreand finally had to peeDamned if Mom didn't take the bowland shove it under meIt seemed to please her very muchas if she'd won a prizeBut who am I to arguewhen "that" look is in her eyesWhat I don't understandis why she wanted that stuffAnd why she had to save itwhen there's always more than enoughMaybe the stress of the seasonis finally taking its tollSo just wanted to warn the rest of youwatch out when they get that bowl

DOG RULES:Newspapers: If you have to go to thebathroom while playing in the front yard,always use the newspaper that's placed inthe driveway every morning for thatpurpose.Visitors: Quickly determine which guest isafraid of dogs. Charge across the room,barking loudly and leap playfully on thisperson. If the human falls down on the floorand starts crying, lick its face and growlgently to show your concern.Barking: Because you are a dog, you areexpected to bark. So bark--a lot. Yourowners will be very happy to hear youprotecting their house. Especially late atnight while they are sleeping safely in theirbeds. There is no more secure feeling for ahuman than to keep waking up in themiddle of the night and hearing yourprotective bark, bark, bark...Licking: Always take a big drink from yourwater dish immediately before licking yourhuman. Humans prefer clean tongues. Beready to fetch your human a towel.Holes: Rather than digging a big hole in themiddle of the yard and upsetting yourhuman, dig a lot of smaller holes all overthe yard so they won't notice. If youarrange a little pile of dirt on one side ofeach hole, maybe they'll think it's gophers.There are never enough holes in theground. Strive daily to do your part to helpcorrect this problem.Doors: The area directly in front of a dooris always reserved for the family dog tosleep.The Art of Sniffing: Humans like to besniffed. Everywhere. It is your duty, as thefamily dog, to accommodate them.Dining Etiquette: Always sit under the tableat dinner, especially when there areguests, so you can clean up any food thatfalls on the floor. It's also a good time topractice your sniffing.Housebreaking: Housebreaking is veryimportant to humans, so break as much ofthe house as possible.Going for Walks: Rules of the road: Whenout for a walk with your master or mistress,never go to the bathroom on your ownlawn.Couches: It is perfectly permissible to lieon the new couch after all your humanshave gone to bed.Playing: If you lose your footing whilechasing a ball or stick, use the flower bedto absorb your fall so you don't injureyourself.Chasing Cats: When chasing cats, makesure you never--quite--catch them. It spoilsall the fun.Chewing: Make a contribution to thefashion industry...Eat a shoe.

POCKET PUGGLE MYTHOne of the most common questionsregarding Puggles is “Where can I get aminiature or "Pocket" Puggle? TheAnswer is that there is no such thing as aPocket Puggle. I have decided to post thisarticle to tackle the questions surroundingthe size of a Puggle. My hope is thisarticle will prevent future Puggle ownersfrom being misled by breeders or petshops who are claiming to sell PocketPuggleThe Basics: There are two different breedsinvolved in the creation of a Puggle (Pug &Beagle). Because the Beagle is the largerof the two breeds, it is generally used asthe female in this crossbreed.The Pug: The height of the average malePug is 12-14 inches. Females are slightlysmaller at 10-12 inches. The averageweight for the Pug is 13 – 20lbs. The Beagle: There are two standard sizesfor the Beagle.13 inches – Beagles in this class shouldbe less than 13 inches.15 inches – Beagles in this class shouldbe between 13 – 15 inches. The averageweight ranges from 20 – 25lbsConclusion: Now that we have seen thetwo gene pools that will be used to createa Puggle we will look at what possibilitiesthe Puggle has for height, weight, healthand temperament. The main health issuescene in Pugs is breathing issues causedby their short muzzle. This problem isgenerally offset to a great extent in thePuggle, due to the longer muzzle of thebeagle. Beagles can be prone to heartdisease, epilepsy, and eye and backproblems which are also found less oftenin Puggles due to the expanded genepool.

They both have a generous lifespan of 12-15 years, both are energetic, sturdy little dogs that have minimal shedding and make great family pets. Theminimum height and weight of a Puggle that has been properly is 12 inches and 18lbs. Any smaller than this and you are looking at major healthproblems and poor breeding practices. The maximum size a Puggle should reach is around 15 inches and 30lbs. A search for "Pocket Puggle" will return hundreds of results. Websites that claim to sell this "rare" dog and people who have decided they must haveone yet few attempt to explain where term "Pocket Puggle" comes from.1. Runt of the Litter - Simply a less healthy runt of the litter who happens to be smaller than other Puggles. Not due to smaller parents but just throughnatural selection. I have always felt that this was what people were referring to when discussing "pocket Puggles", however, there are two otherpossibilities as far as what a pocket puggle could be.2. Pug /Rat Terrier Mix - Clearly this cross does not produce a Puggle, but that doesn't stop breeders from selling them as such. Although this crossdoes result in a puppy that looks similar to a small puggle. It is not a Puggle and you should be skeptical of any breeder that tries to sell this mix to youas a "Pocket Puggle".3. Olde English Beagle/Pug Mix - The Olde English Beagle was at one point a legitimate breed of Beagle. It's history dates back to the 15th century, butonly became well known through Queen Elizabeth I. The Queen gained a strong admiration for these miniature beagles that she referred to as "Glove"or "Pocket" Beagles. These beagles at 9 inches tall were so small they could fit in a saddle bag or pocket. The standards for these dogs was written inthe early 1900's, but the breed since became extinct. Modern Breeders have tried to recreate this standard, but have not successfully re-created anyaccepted standard to date.I hope this article serves to further educate Puggle Owners and potential Puggle Owners. It is often difficult to get accurate information, so I have tried todo the research for you and present it in an easy to read, easy to understand format. This type of information should better prepare you forconversations with breeders and people who insist they have "Genuine" Pocket Puggles.

WASHINGTON CRIMINAL CASE LAW NOTEBOOKWritten and edited by King County Superior Court Judge Ronald Kessler, the Washington criminal case law notebook is the premier treatise on criminal case law in Washington State. Now available for digital download.